Announcing the Prairie Farmer & Rancher Forum

Thousands of prairie farmers and ranchers to receive invitation to first-of-its-kind forum on the future of agriculture

Over the next four weeks, 10,000 randomly selected farms and ranches in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba will receive a special invitation to register to participate in an initiative never before seen in the Prairies, in Canada, or Internationally—a Citizens’ Assembly on agriculture. From these applications, 36 lottery-selected producers will gather to develop solutions to help protect prairie agriculture’s legacy and shape its future.

“We believe that this is the right time to engage with prairie farmers and ranchers to chart our own path forward in order to improve the resilience of our operations and ensure they remain profitable,” stated Forum Co-Leads Gordon Bacon, CEO Emeritus of Pulse Canada, and Ian McCreary, a grain and livestock farmer at Bladworth, SK. “As producers, we haven’t come together in this way before. This is a historic moment for the sector.”

Across the Prairies, agriculture is under increasing pressure—farmers and ranchers face challenges from the market, weather, public perception, and the potential impact of new regulation. The Prairie Farmer & Rancher Forum, a project of Farmers for Climate Solutions, is looking for participants to share their expertise and identify opportunities for a thriving agriculture sector in a changing climate.

“We are looking for farmers and ranchers from across the Prairies who are concerned about the future of our sector,” said Forum Chair Mary Smillie. “You do not need to hold specific views on the climate or environment to participate. All you need is to be a farmer or rancher from Alberta, Saskatchewan, or Manitoba.”

The Prairie Farmer & Rancher Forum will be the first time that farmers and ranchers, representing a diverse range of operations from across provinces come together to share their perspectives, learn from each other, and develop recommendations to drive the future of the agriculture sector—for prairie farmers and ranchers, by prairie farmers and ranchers.

“Together, this important group will develop recommendations that can be presented to those that need to hear them—those who shape the agricultural industry here on the Prairies, across Canada, and in markets around the world,” said Smillie.

Farmers and ranchers should check their mail to see if they are one of the randomly selected prairie producers who have received an invitation and consider registering (see attached envelope image). Those who didn't receive an invitation and are interested can learn more and register for the Forum at www.prairie-ag-forum.ca. The deadline for registering is November 28, 2023—Forum membership will be determined through a lottery the following week.

The Forum is based on the Citizens’ Assembly model that has been used across Canada and internationally to provide detailed guidance to decision-makers concerning complex public issues. The 36 members of the Prairie Farmer & Rancher Forum will be selected to represent diverse views and experiences from different areas of the region.

The Prairie Farmer & Rancher Forum will meet for three multi-day sessions starting in January 2024 and will issue a formal report in late spring, 2024. To learn more about the Forum, and to register, visit www.prairie-ag-forum.ca.

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About the Forum team

Gordon Bacon has spent 30 years working in market development for the Canadian pulse industry and in the Western Canadian wheat and barley sector. He has previously worked for Alberta Agriculture, the Swift Current Research Station, and for former Minister of Agriculture Charlie Mayer.

Ian McCreary owns and operates McCreary Land and Livestock Ltd. in central Saskatchewan with his wife and two sons. They steward 2,000 acres of cropland, 600 acres of hayland, and 300 acres of wetlands. Ian holds a Masters in Agriculture Economics, and was a former task force chair for Farmers for Climate Solutions.

Mary Smillie is a farmer, facilitator, and improvement advisor. Skilled with a wide variety of engagement methods, Mary works with people to help them better understand and improve their system of work. A nurse by training, Mary brings abundant experience to support people who want to lead and succeed at changemaking.

FPT Meeting Response

Governments commit to common and measurable targets to reduce agricultural emissions, but fall short on paving the way for sector-wide change

This past Friday, federal, provincial and territorial (FPT) Ministers of Agriculture announced an agreement in principle on the next Agricultural Policy Framework (APF).

Most of Canada’s agricultural policy is delivered through five year policy frameworks. This next APF (2023-2028) will be called the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, and is co-developed and co-negotiated by Canada’s federal, provincial and territorial governments. 

This is our sector’s most significant policy instrument, which governs agriculture spending across Canada until 2028. Farmers for Climate Solutions (FCS) has spent the past several months advancing farmer-led and evidence-based solutions to make action on climate change central to this new framework.

Farmers for Climate Solutions sees many positive outcomes in the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, but the measures announced by the ministers fall short of the broad, systemic change that is necessary to tackle the climate crisis and make Canadian farms more resilient in the long term. Much work remains to be done, and we hope the upcoming bilateral negotiations between the federal government and individual provincial and territorial governments will be an opportunity to increase climate ambition.

Below is a summary of the positive outcomes that Farmers for Climate Solutions is happy to see:

• $500 million in new funds for cost-share programs, a 25% increase. 

• A commitment to reduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions by 3 to 5 megatonnes over the lifespan of the framework.

• A commitment to increase funding for Indigenous farmers and food providers, women farmers and youth farmers.

• $250 million for the Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program to fund farming practices that support carbon sequestration, adaptation, and other environmental co-benefits.

• A one-year review period of current Business Risk Management (BRM) Programs to better integrate climate risk. 

• The requirement for large farms to perform an agri-environmental risk assessment or Environmental Farm Plan by 2025 to participate in AgriInvest. 

• A reiteration of the commitment  to reduce emissions from nitrogen fertilizer by 30%.

Farmers for Climate Solutions recognizes that the next agricultural policy framework must address a wide range of priorities and respect the great diversity of the Canadian farm sector. However, the Guelph Statement released by FPT ministers last fall identified climate change mitigation and adaptation as the number one priority for the sector. We are concerned that the agreement reached in Saskatoon last week is not detailed and specific enough to ensure that this priority is addressed. Some of the gaps identified by FCS include:

• The emissions reduction target included in the agreement represents about half of the emissions reduction potential that we identified in our research. 

• There is no guarantee that the increased cost-share funding will go to environment and climate priorities.

• There are no substantial changes to business risk management programs to make them more responsive to climate risk. 

We believe that farmers can do more to curb emissions from our sector, and we will continue to advocate for programs inside and outside the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership to achieve these goals. 

“This new funding will be a great boost to our sector and is long overdue,” says Brent Preston, Director of Farmers for Climate Solutions. “But we are disappointed that there is no specific earmark for climate or environmental spending in the increased cost-share budget. Farmers are on the front lines of climate change. We are ready to act, but we need a strong plan and strong support from all levels of government.”

Rooted in Climate Action: APF Task Force Interim Report

An ambitious roadmap for emissions reduction and resilience in the next Agricultural Policy Framework

Farmers for Climate Solutions (FCS) assembled a task force of farmers, researchers, economists and policy experts in late 2021 to examine how the next Agricultural Policy Framework (APF) could accelerate climate action in Canadian agriculture.

This task force is seeking to identify beneficial management practices (BMPs) that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase carbon storage and increase resilience on Canadian farms, and to suggest policies and programs that will encourage the rapid adoption of these practices. This work complements the findings of FCS’s Business Risk Management task force, which completed its work in March.

This Interim Report is intended to provide preliminary findings and recommendations to policymakers and agricultural stakeholders as early as possible in the APF development process. Key practices, costs, mitigation potential and policy recommendations have been identified and calculated, but some values may be subject to change. A final report, including a comprehensive technical report that describes all assumptions and calculations, will be released in early June. FCS welcomes input and suggestions at this interim stage to improve the findings and recommendations.

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Emissions Mitigation Potential

The task force identified 18 beneficial management practices that have the potential to reduce GHG emissions, increase carbon sequestration, and increase resilience on Canadian farms. All of these BMPs are proven, implementable practices that are already in use in Canada, and all are supported by peer-reviewed data that quantify GHG mitigation potential. Together, these BMPs have the potential to mitigate emissions from the agriculture sector by 11.6 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2030.

Grounded in Resilience: Adapting Business Risk Management Programs to Reward Climate-Friendly Agriculture

Business Risk Management Report

In late 2021, Farmers for Climate Solutions (FCS) assembled a Task Force of experts to examine how Canada’s business risk management (BRM) programs could be reformed to help farmers increase on-farm resilience and reduce emissions. This Task Force, and an associated Advisory Body, consisted of agricultural economists, researchers and policy advisors with expertise in Canadian BRM programs.

The Task Force reviewed the academic literature, examined the history of Canadian BRM programs, and looked at experience in other jurisdictions and sectors to answer the following research questions:

• Are there elements of Canada’s BRM programs that incentivize or disincentivize adoption of higher-resilience and lower-emissions practices?

• How could Canada’s BRM programs be reformed to encourage the adoption of climate-friendly practices?

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FARMERS FOR CLIMATE SOLUTIONS BRM TASK FORCE MEMBERS

Leadership

IAN MCCREARY, Chair │ Grain and livestock farmer, McCreary Land & Livestock Ltd., Saskatchewan

BRENT PRESTON │ FCS Interim Director

Analysis Team

AARON DELAPORTE │ Senior Research Associate, Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics Department, University of Guelph

ALFONS WEERSINK │ Professor, Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics Department, University of Guelph

DANIEL SCHUURMAN │ Research Assistant, Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics Department, University of Guelph

KAT LORIMER │ Research Associate, Smart Prosperity Institute

RYAN TOUGAS-COOKE │ Research Associate, Smart Prosperity Institute

TRISTAN SKOLRUD │ Associate Professor, College of Agriculture and Bioresources, University of Saskatchewan

PETER SLADE │ Associate Professor, College of Agriculture and Bioresources, University of Saskatchewan

Advisory Body

JEAN-PHILIPPE GERVAIS │ Vice President and Chief Economist, Farm Credit Canada

AL MUSSELL │ Research Lead and Founder, Agri-Food Economic Systems

RICHARD GRAY │ Professor and Canadian Grain Policy Research Chair, University of Saskatchewan

CHAD LAWLEY │ Professor of Agribusiness and Agricultural Economics, University of Manitoba

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MAJOR FINDINGS

The Task Force found that BRM programs impact production decisions and greenhouse gas emissions in Canada. The following are some of the major findings of the research project.

Climate Impact

1. Subsidized BRM programs may incentivize farmers to adopt riskier practices, a phenomenon termed “moral hazard”. Subsidized BRM programs may reduce the likelihood that farmers adopt practices that reduce their climate-related risk, such as diversifying crop rotations, improving soil health and adopting climate-friendly beneficial management practices (BMPs).

2. BRM programs have a greater climate-related impact on the extensive margins (bringing land into and out of agricultural production) than on the intensive margins (decisions around crop mix, inputs and farming practices).

3. Crop insurance programs provide an incentive to convert marginal land, wetlands, grasslands and treed areas to crop production, which can cause significant GHG emissions.

4. BRM programs may encourage specialization, which can increase climate-related risk. This seems to be especially true for AgriStability.

Program Delivery

1. AgriInvest is not achieving its stated objectives and makes little contribution to better risk management in Canadian agriculture. AgriInvest is providing little public benefit and is therefore at risk of elimination if it is not reformed.

2. The delivery of BRM programs varies significantly between provinces. Examples of innovative programs that encourage farmers to reduce their climate-related risk exist in some provinces. Such programs should be considered for adoption by other provinces.

3. Data collection varies significantly between provinces. Some provinces collect data on crop history, input use and farming practices at the field level, while some do not. Lack of data may constrain certain policy options in the future.

4. This research project was hampered by lack of access to data on BRM program participation and the characteristics of BRM participants. The analysis of AgriStability was especially constrained due to lack of access to data

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next steps

Federal, provincial and territorial (FPT) governments are currently negotiating the next Agricultural Policy Framework (APF) which will guide Canadian agricultural policy, including BRM programs, from 2023 to 2028. FPT Ministers have stated that the number one priority of the next APF should be “tackling climate change and environmental protection to support GHG emission reductions and the long-term vitality of the sector.” Ensuring that BRM programs help farmers manage the range of risks presented by climate change and encourage the transition to climate-friendly practices will be essential to achieving this goal.

To this end, Farmers for Climate Solutions is bringing together a new expert Task Force who will build on the work of the BRM Task Force, and identify ways in which the next APF can contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation. Their recommendations are set to be published in April 2022, in preparation for the next FPT Ministers meeting set for spring 2022.

A vision to 2028 that includes climate action!

Last week, federal, provincial and territorial Ministers of Agriculture were meeting in Guelph to negotiate the high-level priorities that would guide the agriculture sector's policy until 2028. Ministers just wrapped up this meeting and have released their Guelph Statement, outlining five priorities for the next Agricultural Policy Framework (APF).

Here is priority #1:

"Tackling climate change and environmental protection to support GHG emission reductions and the long-term vitality of the sector while positioning producers and processors to seize economic opportunities from evolving consumer demands."

What's even more encouraging is seeing action on climate woven throughout the priorities. Climate change is not an isolated crisis, and its impacts are felt across various areas. This is why Farmers for Climate Solutions advocates for a comprehensive approach to climate action; we simply cannot tackle the larger issue of climate change without addressing its interconnected parts.

Here are the priorities that FCS had identified for a climate-focused APF that meets the mounting challenge of climate change. It must be:

1. Rooted in Climate Action by adopting and agri-environmental strategy with clear targets

2. Committed to Reducing Emissions by supporting farmers to adopt climate-friendly practices

3. Grounded in Resilience by adapting risk-management programs to reward climate-friendly agriculture

4. Invested in Growing our Sector by allocating additional funds to the next APF for climate adaptation and mitigation

The Guelph Statement is an hopeful step in the right direction for the agriculture sector, and speaks to a lot of the priorities that FCS has identified above. If we are to achieve this bold and ambitious vision to 2028, we need to take a proactive approach to tackling the climate crisis; farmer livelihoods and the resiliency of our food supply depends on this.

Cover image: 3Gen Organics Family Farm in Wellington County, Ontario, run by the Israel’s Jamie (left), Carl (middle) and Brett (right). Photo by Jodie Aldred Photography.

Fertilizer Canada Report Analysis

A recent Fertilizer Canada report predicts a $48 billion reduction in farmer incomes as a result of the government of Canada’s goal of reducing GHG emissions from fertilizer by 30% by 2030. FCS has consulted with leading academic experts on fertilizer use and emissions in Canada to compile a short analysis of the Fertilizer Canada report. FCS is engaging with governments and other organizations in the sector to share our belief that sound, science-based policies can help reduce overall fertilizer use and fertilizer-based emissions while protecting yields and enhancing farmer livelihoods.

Introducing new FCS Interim Director, Maternity Leave Replacement

The shift in the season is also bringing changes to the FCS team: after over a year of strong and dedicated leadership by Director Karen Ross, we are excited to announce that she is stepping into a different leadership role as a new mother! Karen has just started her parental leave, and has handed over the reins to Brent Preston, who has been an integral part of FCS since its very inception. Brent is a full-time farmer, and the President of the Ecological Farmers Association of Ontario. He has been a leading member of FCS and a driving force behind the coalition’s work. We look forward to welcoming him in this interim leadership role. To get in touch with Brent, you can reach him at director@farmersforclimatesolutions.ca. 

Karen and Brent have worked closely over the last few months in preparation of this transition, ensuring that FCS is set up for success as the coalition continues to advance policies and programming that support farmers to reduce emissions and build resilience in the face of climate change. On behalf of the coalition, we want to extend a sincere thank you to Karen for her incredible leadership, and wish her all the best while she is on leave with her new baby.

Minister Bibeau Announces Call for Proposals for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s $200 million On-Farm Climate Action Fund

Cover image: Iain Aitken in front of his Luing herd in Belmont, MB.

News release from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s livestream of the announcement

Remarks from Karen Ross, Director of Farmers for Climate Solutions

What a privilege it is to be here today on behalf of Farmers for Climate Solutions. We’re a national coalition of famer-led and farmer-supporting organizations working together to support farmers to reduce emissions and build resilience in the face of climate change. We currently represent over 20,000 farmers and ranchers from coast-to-coast, and 22 member organizations.

I’d like to begin with two stories from the land this season.

I’ll start in Saskatchewan, where farmers are facing one of the worst droughts on record. Much of the crops on Ian McCreary’s 3000 acre grain and livestock farm are ¼ to ⅓ of the yield he’s used to. His hay fields ignited with the slightest spark so haying this year involved having a water truck available and calling in the water bombers on local community pastures. The hay ultimately turned to dust in the baler so he, like his neighbours, had to cut withered crops as feed for cattle because of shortage in forage. Woven within this story of devastation is resilience, however: Ian’s farm is performing relatively better because he has maintained trees on his land which has helped manage wind and erosion, he’s waiting on rain to plant cover crops to help absorb unused nitrogen, and his grazing rotation has helped to drought-proof significant components of his land. 

Now over to BC, Arzeena Hamir, a vegetable farmer, lost 80% of her berry crop to scorching temperatures. The fruit cooked on the plants. But, because she has diversified her operation to include highly complex rotations and has planted cover crops, her business has remained resilient in these tough conditions.

Tens of thousands of farmers have stories like Ian’s and Arzeena’s that mix despair with hope. The fact is that many farmers across Canada have not sat idly by while the weather has changed around us. Many  farmers have already taken the initiative to implement a set of proven, cost-effective practices that reduce emissions and build soil health - and we want to see these scale up. That’s why the program being announced today is so encouraging for many farmers in our membership.

Last year, Farmers for Climate Solutions brought together a Task Force of scientists and experts, under the leadership of Ian and Arzeena, the farmers I just spoke of, to short-list some practices that could be implemented to address the increasing impacts of climate change. The On-Farm Climate Action Fund being announced today includes support for three of the most promising practices that we identified. What’s both unique and compelling about this new program is that it prioritizes direct support to farmers to help us adopt these practices across millions of acres of Canadian farmland. Expert agrology advice to support improved nitrogen management. Per-acre payments to support increased adoption of cover cropping. And fencing and water infrastructure and peer-to-peer learning to support rotational grazing. This is exactly what farmers have identified as being fundamental to scaling up these practices. This program therefore recognizes that farmers are the leaders best positioned to drive change in our sector. It is by empowering farmers with the right support to make new management decisions on their land that our sector will not only remain competitive but will also do its part in supporting Canada to reduce emissions.

Something else has also changed alongside climate: our markets are also changing, with buyers at every scale increasingly demanding farm products that are more sustainable. Earlier this week, a UN report recognized that all sectors must continue to do more in the face of climate change, and that failing to significantly change the current high-emission course will lead to more frequent and intense droughts. Our farms already lose 2 billion dollars annually as a result of climate impacts. This is lost revenue that must be reduced and redirected into farmer profits through programs like the On-Farm Climate Action program.

This program will drive momentum in our sector, and as farmers, we’re always looking ahead to the future. What we know is that there are many more climate practices that we can implement, and millions more acres that could benefit from climate-smart management. Agriculture, like every other sector, needs support to make the inevitable transition to a clean, climate-friendly future. Today’s announcement recognizes the imperative to build resilience in our sector and the importance of farmers in addressing the climate crisis, and we are very optimistic that this opens the door for more to come from here. We look forward to continuing to work with Minister Bibeau to build on the success of this program to help farmers  meet the immense challenge of climate change.